The Yoga that we
practice these days, roots back to Patanjali’s yoga sutra. The informations and
the knowledge that has been shared by rishi/sage Patanjali is useful for each one of us,
whether one is an evolved yogi or a developing sadhuka or an uninitiated. In
the astanga yoga, the eight constituents of yoga are discusse. Of these, the
first constituent talks of the five yama. These are the restraints every humans
being is advised to practised in day-to-day live.
The first yama is related to ahimsa or non-violence, not
only for actions but also for thought, in speech and in every other conceivable
way. The 35th Yoga Sutra of Sadhana Pada states that when some one
practices non violence, then the other people too would give up hostilities in
his/ her presence.
The second yama which is satya- requires one to be truthful,
sincere and honest. Truthfulness is to be practised by all, irrespective of
what stage of spiritual evolution they may be at the moment. In the 36th
yoga sutra, rishi/ sage Patanjali stated that when someone practice truth, then
his or her words will have so much power that they would fructify and bear
fruits.
The third yama is asteya, which says that one shall not steal. The 37th yogasutra states
that one who abstains from stealing, will obtain sarvaratna. The promise made
by the sage is that as a man abstains from stealing, precious things would
begin to come in his/ her way . The
promise is not just for materialistic
progess and achievements but it also advocates for quality of values.
The forth yama talks about brahmacharya, although
the team brahmacharya means complete abstinence from sexual pleasure,
however this particular yama do not advocate for complete abstinence from
sexual pleasure as what is commonly thought. I pointed to be noted and must be understood
with a open mind, rishi /sage Vasishta, inspite of having hundred children,
considered himself as brahmacharya, and there is a little twist in it, and it
should be maintained inbetween single to single person only and it should not
be multiple. According to this yama,
when someone indulges into sexual activity only and only for physical pleasure
then the principle is compromised. In the 38th yoga sutra of the
Sadhana Pada, the sage talks about the labha or the profit/gain for one who
practices brahmacharya. Here profit /gain do not refers to the gain of
materialistic value but the benefit of brahmacharya.
The fifth yama, is aparigraha, which requires us to give up
greed. It relates to non- covetousness. It can also be interpreted as having no
extra possessions. There is thus a free flow of all that comes in and goes out
. The 39th yoga sutra says about that for a one who follows will be
aware and would have the knowledge of
his /her past and the future.
Although it may seem very coincidental however a very
interesting conclusion can be drawn
inbetween five yama and Ten Commendment .
It is believed both five yama came from God and 10 commendment was given by God
to Moses to Mount Sinai. The following commandments corresponds to five yama.-
“Thou shall not kill ”.
“Thou shall not bear false witness against neighbour”.
“Thou shall not steal”.
“Thou shall not commit adultery”.
“Thou shall not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shall not
covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his
manservant, nor his maidservant, nor anythingthat is thy neighbour’s”
The simple principles which are mentioned in Patanjali’s
Yoga Sutra, are also the same principles which Bible advocate as the ten
commandments. Both the principles are
same and they provide the foundation on which each and every human being can
evolve through introspection. It is easy to condemn others for not practicing
these principles, whilst completely overtooking one’s own limitations in this
aspect.
The Bible narrates an incident when some Jew brought before
Jesus a woman who had committed adultery. Seeing the woman Jesus said, “he that
is without sin among you, let him cast stones upon her”. One by one all those
who were present in the crowd, left the place. Only person left in that place was
the woman, Jesus asked woman, “ Where
are thine accusers? Hath no man condemned thee?” She replied, “No man,
my Lord”. Jesus said ,”Neitherdo I condemnthee: Go, and sin no more”.
The practice of the Ten Commendments, as also of the moral
injunctions set out in the five yama are meant to be applied to oneself –they
are not for purpose of passing judgments on others. These principles can be
followed as guideline for laying the foundation for one’s spiritual evolution.
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